Harbor Country Day School’s Larissa Grass Named Long Island Artist of the Year
St. James, NY - April 6, 2017 - Harbor Country Day School announced that the Town of Brookhaven Women’s Advisory Board has named the school’s Artist-in-Residence and Art Teacher Larissa Grass as the 2017 Long Island Artist of the Year. The honor is part of the town’s Annual Women’s Recognition Award.
A renowned local artist and educator, Mrs. Grass is an active member of the Long Island community, participating in many art exhibitions and informing and empowering her community through creativity. At Harbor Country Day, Mrs. Grass founded the Young Illustrators Challenge annual art show, as a way for students at Harbor and from surrounding schools to explore and showcase their artistic talents.
“I've always been so passionate about the power of arts in education,” said Mrs. Grass. “The arts, fine and performing, are a vital component of a child's educational story. It helps them to make connections they would not otherwise make, it gives them a voice when they may not have one and most important, it gives them the confidence they need to be successful."
Every year, as part of Women in History Month, the Town of Brookhaven Women’s Advisory Board honors women throughout the town of Brookhaven with the Women’s Recognition Award. Honorees are women who either live or work in Brookhaven and who have demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas, from the arts and education to law enforcement, government and the military. This year, 13 women were honored at the 31st Annual Women’s Recognition Night on March 30.
“I am very proud of Larissa for receiving this award -- although I can’t say that I am surprised to see her honored in such a way,” said Harbor Country Day Head of School, John Cissel. “Since she joined Harbor 11 years ago, Larissa has brought our art program to incredible heights. From our youngest preschoolers to our eighth grade seniors, our students are learning everything from art historyand theory to how to work with a wide variety of media, and at the same time they are creating spectacular works of art that we proudly display throughout our school. And, perhaps the best barometer of her success -- the students always have smiles on their faces when they’re working in Larissa’s studio.”
About Harbor Country Day School
Founded in 1958 by conscientious parents, Harbor Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school for children from preschool through 8th grade situated in St. James’ Village of Head of the Harbor. The school employs a whole-child approach to education, wherein its rigorous curriculum is supported by a broad program in its academic, athletic, advisory, and visual and performing arts departments designed to develop all aspects of each child's talents and interests. Harbor Country Day School’s summer camp program, Camp Harbor, is among the leading summer camp programs on Long Island. The school’s mission to “cherish childhood, cultivate wonder, and inspire confident learners and leaders” underscores every child’s experience at Harbor Country Day School and ensures that all of its graduates are prepared to lead fulfilling lives filled with wonder, confidence, and many successes.
Harbor Country Day School is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by and a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). It is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. For more information, visit www.hcdsny.org.